Status of Active CWT and DFO Projects
Conserve Wildlife Tag Grants
Project Number: CWT 0506-09
Project Name: Florida Black Bear Support to Conduct a Black Bear Management Survey of the General Public
Grant Amount: $25,000.00
Project Manager: Stephanie Simek
Status: The FWC's Bear Management Program received a grant to conduct a public survey regarding black bear management. The survey work was done by an outside contractor, Cornell Human Dimensions.
This is a vital link to completing the FWC's updated bear management plan. The plan will include both social and biological aspects. This survey completes the evaluation of social aspects of bear management. Previous work has been conducted on biological aspects of bear management as well as surveys of specific stakeholder groups.
The project closed on June 30, 2008. FWC Bear Management staff have previewed a draft of the survey results and suggested revisions. A final report is due on September 30.
Project Number: CWT 0607-03
Project Name: ArcIMS Programmer to deliver Web-Based GIS Services via the Internet (Year 2)
Grant Amount: $52,000.00
Project Manager: Kathleen O'Keefe
Status: The grant was awarded to the FWC's Office of Data Portal to allow the office to provide a second year of support for on-line GIS services for FWC researchers, as well as the public. Grant funds paid for a programmer to perform this highly technical work. This has evolved into a web-based application called Environmental Analysis GIS (EAGIS).
FWC scientists who use EAGIS have provided feedback regarding the website design, GIS data needed and requests for additional tools. From that review, a number of enhancements were identified. Upgrades to EAGIS are ongoing.
Project Number: CWT 0607-07
Project Name: Florida Black Bear: Aversive Conditioning Program Development and Training
Grant Amount: $44,000.00
Project Manager: Stephanie Simek
Status: The FWC's Bear Management program received this grant to develop and implement an "aversive conditioning" program to improve the FWC's response to negative human-bear interactions. The key components of the program include:
a guidance booklet for FWC staff and partner agencies;
training workshops for FWC staff and partner agencies;
purchase of equipment such as bean bag thumpers, aero socks and other non-lethal bear deterrents; and
an evaluation/monitoring process.
The Bear Management program held aversive conditioning workshops and purchased necessary equipment for FWC law enforcement officers. Staff is finalizing an aversive conditioning guidance booklet. The booklet is meant as a training and policy guide for the FWC and partner agencies on the use of aversive conditioning methods on bears. The remaining piece is to develop and implement methods of collecting data to monitor the effectiveness of aversive conditioning efforts.
Project Number: CWT 0607-10
Project Name: Digital Conversion of Video Library
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Kent Whittington
Status: The FWC's Office of Community Relations received this grant to create a digital archive of video footage. The FWC maintains an extensive video library for use in creating professional promotional and educational video projects. The process of manually scrolling through hours of tape for the tight footage has proven to be costly and time-consuming.
Grant funds will allow the FWC to transfer over 115 hours of tape into a digital format. Digital video footage may then be searched and scrolled in a much more efficient manner. The overall result is to increase the FWC's capability to produce professional video products. This, in turn, results in increased exposure for the FWC and the Foundation.
Project Number: CWT 0708-01
Project Name: Cooperative Conservation Blueprint for Florida
Grant Amount: $100,000.00
Project Manager: Christine Small
Status: The FWC's Wildlife Legacy Initiative staff is charged with developing and implementing a cooperative conservation blueprint that will provide a decision-making tool for land managers charged with conserving critical lands and waters in Florida. The FWC received this grant to fund facilitation and implementation of the blueprint.
Since the project was awarded, blueprint staff has been hard at work bringing together various stakeholders to work together and make the blueprint a reality. In July, the project released the "Critical lands and Waters Identification Project" (CLIP) on an ArcIMS website. Working groups for water incentives, land incentives and energy incentives have been meeting regularly. Results from the working groups will be considered by the Conservation Blueprint steering committee. The committee will decide how to move the Blueprint forward once the grant work is done.
Project Number: CWT 0708-02
Project Name: Hawks channel coral ecosystem mapping
Grant Amount: $50,000.00
Project Manager: Dave Palandro
Status: The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute received this grant to produce a GIS map of the shallow-water habitats of an approximately 850 square kilometer coral ecosystem in the lower Florida Keys. The project is incorporating GIS maps, satellite images and a number of different data sets. Results are being openly shared with NOAA and the USGS.
Project Number: CWT 0708-03
Project Name: Mapping threats to Florida freshwater habitats
Grant Amount: $54,893.00
Project Manager: Alex Rybak
Status: The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute received this grant to provide detailed GIS maps that outline threats to freshwater habitats. The goal is to create a GIS map that is built upon the broad scale threat mapping done by the FWC in 2005. Threats were detailed within specific watersheds and linked to particular streams and lakes. The project is completed.
Project Number: CWT 0708-04
Project Name: Avian survey of sandhill habitat in Florida
Grant Amount: $57,842.00
Project Manager: James Rogers
Status: The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute received this grant to develop a survey protocol for monitoring birds native to sandhill habitats. The overall goal is to serve as a model for establishing performance measures and monitoring protocols for sandhill communities. Work on this project is moving along. The field work is completed. FWC staff is working with the University of Florida to conduct a statistical analysis of the data gathered. The final report is expected this quarter.
Project Number: CWT 0708-05
Project Name: Community bear restraint container program
Grant Amount: $61,000.00
Project Manager: Stephanie Simek
Status: The FWC's Bear Management program received this grant to develop and implement a program that would recruit and train community advocates who will act as stewards to minimize the negative impacts of human-wildlife encounters in targeted communities. The main components are the purchase of new or retrofitted trash containers at priority locations, distribution of new or improved information materials and an implementation of a monitoring process for the project.
The project is on schedule. Commercial refuse containers have been purchased and distributed in the community of Carrabelle. FWC bear staff have scheduled field days, in which residents may have their trash containers retrofitted. Staff is also working with homeowners associations to alter covenants to include wildlife resistant containers.
Project Number: CWT 0708-06
Project Name: Restoration, monitoring and management of boat propeller scars in St. Andrew Bay, Florida
Grant Amount: $18,072.00
Project Manager: Chris Gudeman
Status: The FWC is partnering with the Florida Park Service, DEP Aquatic Preserve staff and Bay County to restore boat propeller scars in sea grass beds. Restoration involves placing sediment tubes in propeller scars to raise the scar elevation and promote the growth of new sea grasses.
Restoration was completed in December of 2007. The remaining project time is devoted to monitoring project area to determine whether sea grass is growing in the restored scars.
Project Number: CWT 0708-07
Project Name: Florida's Wildlife Legacy Initiative partner's meetings
Grant Amount: $4,500.00
Project Manager: Kate Haley
Status: The FWC received this grant to support the Florida Wildlife Legacy Initiative's efforts to work with partners to implement its strategic priorities. Grant funds are used to cover meeting facilitation expenses (facility costs, printing, travel or meal expenses). The meetings are integral to enable FWC staff to work in partnership with Florida's wildlife and conservation community.
Thus far, eleven meetings have been conducted across the state. Meetings have centered around topics such as the species ranking system of the FWLI, general FWLI coordination, the Cooperative Conservation Blueprint (in cooperation with CWT 0708-01)springs, and habitat performance measures. FWLI staff continues to make great progress on engaging partners to work on Legacy Initiative projects.
NOTE: All FY 08-09 projects have been initiated this quarter.
None of these have yet been required to present a status report
as they are just getting underway.
Project Number: CWT 0809-01
Project Name: One year continuation of two nongame wildlife grants
Grant Amount: $47,834.00
Project Manager: Stuart Cumberbatch
Status: This project was approved as part of the "block grant" given to support core non-game programs that were at risk due to funding restrictions as a result of the state's economic downturn. A shortfall in the Nongame trust fund necessitated cutting $47,843. The FWC uses part of this trust fund to offer a nongame wildlife grants program. The program makes multi-year grants for ongoing research projects. Some of these projects were in jeopardy.
This particular CWT grant project enabled the continued support of two nongame wildlife projects. One is a project to determine how to help Scrub Jays survive in suburban areas. The other is to determine causes for the decline of the Great White Heron in Florida.
Project Number: CWT 0809-02
Project Name: Bring back the red cockaded woodpecker through FWC's Safe Harbor Program
Grant Amount: $50,000.00
Project Manager: Robin Boughton
Status: This project was also approved as part of the "block grant." Florida's Safe Harbor is a voluntary program designed to involve private landowners in the recovery of the Red Cockaded Woodpecker. The grant funds support the employee responsible for Safe harbor. This employee produces informational materials, meets with landowners to recommend conservation actions and assists landowners in understanding the legal Safe Harbor agreement.
The FWC entered into the Safe Harbor program with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The USFWS provides assurances that landowners will face no additional regulatory restrictions on their property if they are able to increase woodpecker populations.
Project Number: CWT 0809-03
Project Name: Nongame wildlife conservation throughout Florida
Grant Amount: $160,000.00
Project Manager: Terry Doonan
Status: This is the third project approved as part of the "block grant." This grant provides three regional OPS positions, plus a portion of related operating cost. These staff are key to implementing the FWC's species management plans at the local level. These staff manage nongame species with an emphasis on imperiled species management and conduct regional conservation projects.
Project Number: CWT 0809-04
Project Name: Assess internet traffic of regulated fish and wildlife
Grant Amount: $37,500.00
Project Manager: Scott Hardin
Status: This grant will allow the FWC to contract with North Carolina State University to develop a custom internet search engine for the FWC. Law enforcement staff will use this as a tool to help stem the flow of illegal captive wildlife sales and transportation via the internet.
Project Number: CWT 0809-05
Project Name: Community-based approach for human-bear coexistence
Grant Amount: $45,000.00
Project Manager: Stephanie Simek
Status: The FWC's Bear Management program received this grant to develop a pilot "Community-Based Management Program" that will engage local citizens, businesses and government in developing community-level advocacy for bears in areas of Franklin County, Florida.
Project Number: CWT 0809-06
Project Name: Microsatellite analysis of genetic variation in panhandle gopher tortoise
Grant Amount: $12,700.00
Project Manager: Joan Berish
Status: This grant-funded research will fill an important data gap in the FWC's gopher tortoise management plan. Genetic studies are important to in light of the need to re-stock some populations of tortoises. It is imperative to ensure that any restocking efforts are accomplished in a responsible, scientifically sound manner. The FWC has sufficient genetic data from tortoise populations in peninsular Florida. However, it has very little date on tortoise populations in the Florida panhandle. This project aims to fill that critical data gap.
Project Number: CWT 0809-07
Project Name: Northwest coastal bear festival
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Judy Gillan
Status: This grant was given to the FWC's Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Division will work in cooperation with FWC's Community Relations office to develop a coastal bear festival to be held in northwest Florida. Grant funds will also support the development and publication of new and existing education materials.
Discover Florida's Oceans Tag Grants
Project Number: DFO 0607-04
Project Name: A pilot tagging study to determine movement, stock affinity and possible recruitment of common snook (centropomus undecimalis) in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys
Grant Amount: $7,500.00
Project Manager: Ron Taylor/Alexis Trotter
Status: The goal of this project is to determine whether or not adult snook move between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. This is accomplished by enlisting expert anglers and professional fishing guides to capture, tag and release snook.
Over 600 snook have been tagged thus far. The project will continue in the coming year. By recording when and where a snook was tagged and recaptured, researchers can determine whether snook migrate between the gulf and Atlantic, and if so, at what rate. This information will aid FWC leaders in making decisions as how best to manage the Atlantic and Gulf stocks.
Project Number: DFO 0708-01
Project Name: Team O.C.E.A.N. - eastern Florida panhandle
Grant Amount: $6,330.00
Project Manager: Rich Abrams
Status: This grant was awarded to the FWC's Division of Marine Fisheries Management to educate natural resource users about their role in protecting the marine environment. Team OCEAN (Ocean Conservation Education Action Network) is designed so that FWC staff or trained volunteers interact with recreational marine users groups prior to their departure from a dock or while they are on the water. Team OCEAN staff will provide information materials such as fishing regulations, boater safety information and habitat protection materials.
This particular project focuses on the geographic area between the Apalachicola River basin and the Aucilla River. Staff and volunteers have been conducting "intercepts" at locations throughout the region. In addition, staff will make larger group presentations at fishing clubs and related workshops. These large group presentations will enable staff bring a conservation message to a wider audience.
Project Number: DFO 0708-02
Project Name: Team O.C.E.A.N. - Cedar Key
Grant Amount: $5,900.00
Project Manager: Melissa Jackson
Status: This grant was awarded to the FWC's Division of Marine Fisheries Management to educate natural resource users about their role in protecting the marine environment. This Team OCEAN project focuses in the area around Cedar Key.
As with the eastern panhandle project, Team OCEAN staff and volunteers have been conducting "intercepts" at various locations around the area. Team OCEAN is also giving presentations to fishing clubs and other large gatherings.
Project Number: DFO 0708-03
Project Name: Boating and angling guide to the nature coast
Grant Amount: $10,200.00
Project Manager: Kathleen O'Kiefe
Status: The FWC, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, has produced twenty three Boating and Angling Guides over the past several years. The Foundation has assisted with funding a number of these guides. The guides provide maps, fishing regulations, locations of ramps and marinas, as well as conservation information. The guides are targeted to recreational boaters in a specific region.
This particular guide covers the "Nature Coast" area of Florida's gulf coast. This includes Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties. This guide is in the final stages of preparation. It is almost ready to be sent to the printer.
Project Number: DFO 0708-04
Project Name: Science in the Sea
Grant Amount: $10,000.00
Project Manager: Dr. Ellen Prager
Status: This grant was awarded to Dr. Prager to assist in her research and writing of this book. The goal of the book is to use storytelling as a means to improve understanding of ocean issues, the importance of marine fieldwork and to inspire a new generation of marine researchers and stewards.
The book was recently published by the University of Chicago press. The final title is "Chasing Science at Sea: Racing Hurricanes, Stalking Sharks, and Living Undersea with Ocean Experts."
Project Number: DFO 0708-05
Project Name: Diagnostic necropsies of stranded right whales
Grant Amount: $6,000.00
Project Manager: Tom Pitchford
Status: This is the first of two projects to benefit from generous donations by the Flowers Family Foundation. The FWC used funds from NOAA to purchase a trailer to use in response to right whale mortality events. The Foundation used a combination of tag funds as well as a donation from the Flowers Family Foundation to equip the trailer for on-site whale necropsies. Funds will also be used for costs related to traveling to mortality events.
The project was recently extended. Fortunately (for the whales) there were very few mortality events last season. Funds will be used to respond to whale mortalities in the coming season.
NOTE: All FY 08-09 projects have been initiated this quarter.
None of these have yet been required to present a status report
as they are just getting underway.
Project Number: DFO 0809-01
Project Name: Support for marine hatcheries initiative
Grant Amount: $30,000.00
Project Manager: Luiz Barbieri
Status: This project was given to the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to support fund raising, marketing and promotional efforts associated with the FWC Saltwater Hatchery and Habitat Initiative. The initiative represents a large-scale collaborative effort to develop a statewide network of interdisciplinary facilities centered around sport fish hatchery production and coastal habitat restoration. Marine science education, community outreach and recreation are expected benefits as well.
This project "hit the ground running." Project managers received approval to commence activities immediately upon award. Staff has worked with a number of partners to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative. While the grant funds are nearly spent out, the work of this initiative will continue.
Project Number: DFO 0809-02
Project Name: Boating and angling guide to St. Johns and Flagler counties
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Chris Anderson
Status: The FWC, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, has produced twenty three Boating and Angling Guides over the past several years. The Foundation has assisted with funding a number of these guides. The guides provide maps, fishing regulations, locations of ramps and marinas, as well as conservation information. The guides are targeted to recreational boaters in a specific region.
This particular guide covers St. Johns and Flagler counties. Work on this guide commenced in July. A final product is anticipated by June 30, 2009.
Project Number: DFO 0809-03
Project Name: Evaluation of reef fish within Dry Tortugas
Grant Amount: $8,500.00
Project Manager: Mike Feeley
Status: This grant was awarded to the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to monitor the movement and spawning patterns of adult snapper and grouper in the Dry Tortugas. These fish tend to congregate in large groups when spawning. This makes them vulnerable to overfishing, which resulted in a decline in these species.
A network of marine protected areas was established in the area to protect these aggregations of fish. This project will tag and track adult fish within these populations. By tracking their movement and habitat use, FWC scientists can determine how effective these marine protected areas are in protecting these fish. The data yielded will be useful to future management decisions regarding these protected species.
Project Number: DFO 0809-04
Project Name: Bringing the FWC mission to the Florida Keys classroom
Grant Amount: $7,500.00
Project Manager: Dave Eaken
Status: The FWC's South Florida Research Lab received this grant in order to implement a marine education program in Monroe County schools. Currently, no such program exists.
The goal of the education program is two-fold:
1. to educate students on how their community depends upon the marine ecosystem
2. to promote the mission of the FWC (managing fish and wildlife resources for their long term well-being and for the benefit of people)
Staff anticipates that this program will promote among students a better understanding of the function and complexity of the marine ecosystem in the Florida Keys. The hope is that students will, in turn, engage their parents in this appreciation of the ecosystem. Additionally, the program will promote a positive image of the FWC.
Project Number: DFO 0809-05
Project Name: Photo identification of north Atlantic right whales in northeast Florida
Grant Amount: $5,000.00
Project Manager: Tom Pitchford
Status: This is another project funded via a generous donation from the Flowers Family Foundation. The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute requested this grant in order to purchase a camera and related equipment to be used in photo identification of North American right whales. This specialized equipment will allow FWC scientists to get details from individual specimens at high resolution over a long distance. This permits an accurate identification of whales.
FWC scientists will perform the initial photo identification. Then, photos will be submitted to the New England Aquarium, which is home to the North American Right Whale Catalog. The New England Aquarium will confirm the identification and include the specimen in the catalog.
